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Madera Speedway Media Release - July 1, 2009 Media Relations - Dale Bosowski (209) 818-1731 4th of July Celebration at Madera Speedway Features SRL Southwest Tour & Fireworks Madera Speedway will celebrate our nation's birthday this Saturday night, July 4th with Round #2 of the SRL Southwest Tour Holiday Classic, presented by Performance Electric in a big 120-lap main event. The program will also feature the NASCAR Whelen All American Racing Series Western Late Models, American Limited Stock Cars, Modified Super Toyotas, Toyota Sedans and Hornets. In addition, fans will also be treated to a spectacular FIREWORKS show sponsored by Pacific Mobile Structures. This Saturday's race will be the second of three stops at Madera on the 10-race SRL Southwest Tour schedule this season. The SRL raced in a 110-lap feature on May 23 and will return for the final time this season with a 130-lap feature on Saturday, September 5th. In the May 23rd race, 2003 NASCAR Southwest Series champion Auggie Vidovich, of Lakeside, made his first appearance in the series since 2006 a successful one by driving the Bob Strandwold owned #1 Chevrolet to an impressive victory. Vidovich inherited the top spot in that race on lap seven after early leader Troy Ermish, of Fremont, pulled off with engine problems. Vidovich held the lead for the rest of the race despite the best efforts of veteran MK Kanke, age 46 of Frazier Park, who tried everything in his arsenal to get past Vidovich. Kanke, who won the first two races of the 2009 season held at All American Speedway in Roseville on April 4 and the Bullring in Las Vegas on May 3 will be back to challenge Vidovich for supremacy on the "Fastest 1/3 Mile Oval in the West" along with a host of others including 2008 series champion Jim Pettit II of Prunedale, 2001 NASCAR Southwest Series champion Craig Raudman of Cottonwood and 2007 SRL champion Dave Byrd of Monterey. Kyle Gottula, age 22 of Modesto, continues to lead the way in the Western Late Model division heading into this Saturday's 100-lap feature. The second generation driver racked up his fourth victory and eighth top five finish of the season in last week's race to stretch his lead to 18 points (239 - 217) over Stockton's Ross Strmiska in the Western Late Model season standings. Fans will also have a chance to meet the drivers of the SRL Southwest Tour in a special autograph session that is scheduled to take place from 6 - 7 PM right behind the main grandstands in the concessions area. The championship battles in the other four divisions racing this Saturday are even tighter. In fact, the points lead changed hands in three of divisions after last week's exciting action. In the American Limited Stock Car division Modesto's Dennis Saunders picked up his third win of the season to take over the top spot by a razor thin 170 to 169 point advantage over Atwater's Jason Aguirre, while Chowchilla's John Bowersox inched ahead of Stockton's John McCollum Jr., of Stockton, by a slim 163 to 160 margin in the Modified Super Toyotas and 67-year-old rookie Dean Davison of Kingsburg moved ahead of Modesto's Robert Hull by a 125 to 121 spread in the wild and wacky Hornets. It the ultra competitive Toyota Sedans Sanger's Chris Lewis remains out in front, but he saw his lead sliced to just 13 points (194 - 181) after Fresno's Jason Kerns notched his fourth victory of the season last Saturday. So come out this Saturday, July 4th, to the home of "Short Track Thunder" as Madera Speedway proudly salutes our country with a star spangled evening of family entertainment and plenty of heart pounding stock car excitement that will include more than 300 laps of main event racing and a fireworks extravaganza. Ticket prices for this Saturday's, July 4th program are only $25.00 for adults, $23.00 for seniors 65 years of age or older, $20.00 for students, active duty military and juniors age 13-17, $5.00 for kids age 6-12 while kids 5 and under are free when accompanied by a paying adult. A family pack ticket (two adults and up to two kids, 12 years old and under) is also available for the bargain price of just $55.00. VISA and MasterCard are welcome at window #3. Fans can receive a discount coupon good for $5.00 off the adult price of admission this Saturday at the Madera Speedway via email by joining the Madera Fan Club at www.racemadera.com. Also track president Kenny Shepherd has announced that specially priced two day passes will be available for both the July 4th show at Madera and the Friday night July 3rd show at Chowchilla Speedway, which will also include fireworks, at only $30 for adults and $70 for a family pack. This Saturday the Madera Speedway pit gates will open at 11:00 AM, the grandstands open at 3:00 PM, heats and dashes will begin at 5:00 PM, evening's opening ceremonies will kick off main event racing at approximately 6:00 PM and the spectacular fireworks show will precede the SRL feature at approximately 9:00 PM. There will also be an open practice session at Madera Speedway on Friday, July 2nd with the pit gates will opening at 12:00 PM noon and the track will be hot from 2:00 to 7:00 PM. Admission is free to the grandstands and the pit concession stands will be open. Pit passes for Saturday's show will also be sold on Friday. For additional information on the Friday test session contact Track Manager Pat Patnaude at (209) 983-1689 (track), (209) 479-0056 (cell), (209) 983-0967 (fax) or email to ppatnaude@racemadera.com. The Madera Speedway is conveniently located at the Madera County Fairgrounds just off to the west side of Highway 99 at the Cleveland Avenue exit. For more Madera Speedway information visit the track's website at www.racemadera.com or call the Info/Race Line phone number at (559) 673-RACE. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 29, 2009 Former Madera Champ Westmoreland Looking Forward to SRL Return Bakersfield, CA – On Saturday, May 12th, 2000, just four days passed his sixteenth birthday, SRL Southwest Tour Series driver Justin Westmoreland began his stock car career at Madera Speedway. For the nine months leading up to that first race, Justin and his father Keith (the 1995 Madera Speedway Street Stock champion) worked on building a Street Stock for the day Justin would be eligible to compete. “From the time Justin was five, he was coming to the races at Madera Speedway, so growing up all he wanted to do was race.” Keith stated. “We got him a go kart at age eleven and traveled all over racing on the dirt and pavement.” After making the transition from go karts to Street Stocks then into the Late Models, Justin won 24 main events at Madera Speedway and the NASCAR Late Model championship in 2003 and 2005. In 2006, the Westmorelands decided to move up to the SRL Southwest Tour Series. “We went to Shasta, we ran practice on Friday, but blew an engine on Saturday during practice so we didn’t get to race” said Justin about his first SRL race. “We had a lot of success at Madera, it was definitely time to move up, but the start we had in the (SRL) series definitely tested our drive. I’m glad we weathered the storm because it’s great to be a regular in the SRL…competing against the best drivers on the west coast.” When asked about competing against the teams of top SRL drivers like Jim Pettit, Craig Raudman, Auggie Vidovich and M.K. Kanke, “It’s a dream come true for us to race against those guys, they are the best and have years of experience…they have all paid their dues to be where they are today in our sport.” said Justin. Keith then added, “It’s a privilege to compete with them, there are a lot of great people in the SRL…a prime example of the quality of people in this series is we destroyed our car in a crash at Altamont in 2007 and Greg Voigt gave us a chassis to rebuild the car and keep racing…we are still running that chassis.” Coming off a season best fourth place at the May 23rd Madera Speedway SRL event, the Westmorelands are looking forward to returning to their home track this weekend. “We were down on the speed chart during practice. Once we put on our new set of tires to qualify the car was really good and obviously it was good during the race.” Justin commented on the previous Madera race. “It was great closing the deal, having a good car and getting a good finish…it made it even better with friends and family at the race.” The SRL Southwest Tour Series “Performance Electrical 120” will headline a full night of racing at Madera Speedway this Saturday night, July 4th, which will also feature the NASCAR Western Late Models, ALSC’s, MST’s, Toyota’s and a Fireworks Show. Trophy dashes at 5pm, with main events starting at 6pm. For more information, go to www.SRLSouthwestTour.com or www.racemadera.com. Madera Speedway Media Release - June 24, 2009 Media Relations - Dale Bosowski (209) 818-1731 Gottula Beats the Heat to Capture Win at Madera Speedway Madera Speedway officially christened in the summer racing season with its 3rd Annual Summer Kick off Party & Hawaiian Shirt Night, presented by Midland Tractor, last Saturday June 27 with a huge eight division program featured the NASCAR Whelen All American Racing Series Western Late Models. Also racing were the American Limited Stock Cars (ALSC), Modified Super Toyotas (MST), Toyota Sedans, Hornets, Legends of the Pacific and the WSRA Mini-Cup & Baby Grands. A total of just under 100 cars packed the pits and sweltering temperatures in excess of 100 degrees had the drivers and their crews looking for any shade they could find. In addition to all of the action on the track, there will be plenty of entertainment in the grandstands as well as fans received free leis, the Madera Speedway Hawaiian dancers strutted their stuff, genuine Luau cuisine was served at the food booths and live music was provided by the local band Controlled Chaos. Starting outside of polesitter Matt Erickson of Coulterville, Bakersfield's Brennan Newberry jumped into the early lead of the Western Late Model 50-lap feature. Modesto's Kyle Gottula maneuvered underneath of Newberry on lap 13 and the two went side by side for five laps before Gottula was finally able to complete the pass to take over the top spot. A couple of laps later Manteca's Ross Strmiska, who was looking for his fourth consecutive victory, also got past Newberry and began to chase down Gottula. A caution on lap 28 gave him his opportunity. Gottula decided to restart the race from the inside position and it proved to be the wrong choice as Strmiska swept past him after Gottula faltered just a bit and was tapped from behind by Merced's Carlos Vieira, the night's trophy dash winner. Newberry would spin five laps later, bringing out the yellow flag and setting up another restart. Not wanting to mess with success Strmiska chose the outside, but this time Gottula was perfect off the mark as he easily jumped into the lead. Strmiska chased him in vain for the rest of the contest as Gottula sailed to the finish with his fourth win of the season while Vieira, Rick Thompson of Clovis and Newberry rounded out the top five. "I drove it in a little deep on that first restart and I was trying to pressure him when that second caution came out and gave me another crack at him," said Gottula. "I kept waiting for another caution and I was trying to figure out which lane to pick on the restart, but luckily I didn't have to mess with that again and we were able to take it home." The victory enabled Gottula to stretch his lead to 18 points (239 - 217) over Strmiska in the Western Late Model season standings. "I was good at the beginning of the race, but the car faded later on," said Strmiska, who set fast time in qualifying. "I couldn't run up top as well as he could. He got out in front after that second restart and just checked out." Polesitter Rusty Robertson of Fresno led the first nine laps of the American Limited Stock Car feature before Modesto's Garland Tyler inched past him. Unfortunately, Robertson would get into Tyler a lap later handing the lead to Modesto's Dennis Saunders Jr. on the restart. Saunder's would never relinquish the top spot although a game CJ Dizney of Madera mounted a serious threat by getting along side of Saunders on the outside before touching the wall on the front straight and sustaining a flat front left tire which ended his bid. Matt Erickson, once again doing double duty, finished the race in second and defending division champion Howard Holden of Clovis took third. Atwater's Jason Aguirre was involved in an accident with Holden at mid race, which ended his evening and cost him the points lead. Saunders now holds the top spot by a miniscule 170 to 169 point advantage over the frustrated Aguirre. "It was a struggle. I had a set of tires that I changed to after the trophy dash and they really weren't agreeing with me," said Saunders. "I am blessed and I thank everyone for coming out to watch." The Toyota Sedans once again had the crowd revved with excitement as they watched Fresno's Jason Kerns try everything in his arsenal to take over the lead in the 25-lap feature from Cody Stout, of Clovis, who had grabbed the position from Don Davey, also of Clovis, on lap eight. Kerns went high and he went low only to be rebuffed by Stout on each occasion. Finally Kerns dropped back just a bit and went to the very top of the track to increase his speed. After winding up for a full circuit around the 1/3 mile oval, Kerns launched his car around the helpless Stout through turn #1 at the start of lap 24 as the crowd went crazy. Trying desperately to fight back, Stout added insult to injury when he spun out in turn #2 to finish a disappointing 12th. "Man that was really tough fought race. I tried to get underneath of Cody a couple of times and he shut the door on me. All I had was the high side so I took what he gave me," explained Kerns afterward. "I really want to thank all the fans for coming out and braving this heat tonight. We drivers really appreciate it." It was Kerns fourth victory of the season, while the husband and wife team of Del and Candee McIntosh of Madera rounded out the podium. The victory also enabled Kerns to creep to within 13 points (194 - 181) of division leader Chris Lewis, of Sanger, who finished 10th in the 13-car field. Donnie Large Jr. held the pole and the early in the 25-lap Modified Super Toyota feature before dad showed him how it is done. Donnie Large Sr. (a.k.a. Mr. Excitement) roared past his son in turn #4 of lap six and never looked back as he cruised to his second consecutive victory. Chowchilla's John Bowersox finished just ahead of his son Jason for second place and in doing so snatched the season points lead from fourth place finisher John McCollum Jr., of Stockton, by a slim 163 to 160 margin. "I have to thank my guys for preparing such a good car for me. It is handling great," said Large, who now has two wins in just four starts this year. "Those other guys are racing for points and I ain't touching them, just beating them." Two time defending champion Miles Humphreys of Clovis, his teammate Dean Davison of Kingsburg and Modesto's JD Silva went at it tooth and nail for the first half of the 20-lap Hornet feature. Their epic battle culminated in a three wide formation heading into turn #1 of lap 11. Davison, who was bidding for his third consecutive win, got the worst of it as he spun after tapping Silva. With Davison out of the picture Humphreys and Silva continued to go at it wheel to wheel right to the green flag. As the pair came to the checkers they split the slower car of Cody Vick with Silva taking his first win of the season by about the width of his front bumper over the determined Humphreys. "I have to apologize to Davison for getting into him a bit, but other than that I really enjoyed that race," exclaimed a happy Silva, who also captured the win in the Hornet heat race. "Everyone was really closely matched out there tonight and sometimes you just run out of race track and things happen." Grant Koontz, of Carmel Valley, who was making his first start on asphalt, finished third and Davison ended up fourth which was good enough to give him the season points lead over an absent Rich Hull, of Modesto, by a 125 to 121 spread. The Legends of the Pacific always produce large fields, wheel-to-wheel action and wild finishes when they visit Madera and Saturday's 35-lap feature was certainly no exception. After breaking away from the rest of the 21 car field, Ripon's Angelo Queirolo, Santa Rosa's James Gilliland and Rocklin's Robby Czub, who set a new track record in qualifying, rubbed wheels and traded the lead several times throughout the first 20 laps of the Legends main. Late in the race Tracy's Jeremy Wood joined the fray and the four way battle culminated with Czub, Wood and Queirolo crossing the finish line three abreast, all within about one foot of each other, as Queirolo edged Czub for the win. "Wow, I can't believe it. Man this is sweet," exclaimed Queirolo, who also won at Madera on April 4. "My car was getting hot and then it started to sputter. I saw one car coming on the inside and the other on the outside. I just held on." Manteca's Josh Gomes ducked under Lincoln's Jarret Kelly on a lap 10 restart and never looked back as he captured the win in the 30-lap WSRA Baby Grand feature. Trophy dash winner Michael Ray, of Modesto, finished in second and Citrus Heights' Dillon Hutchison, the night's fast qualifier, rounded out the Baby Grand podium. "I had a good car even though I didn't get a chance to practice today. We were late and I had to fly in on my uncle's plane," explained Gomes. Lincoln's Danny Allen went wire to wire in capturing the first ever win of his career in the 20-lap Mini Cup feature. Brentwood's Patrick Hill, who had taken the checkered flag in the three previous Mini Cup events at Madera this season, finished second and Hanford's Eric Hamilton nabbed third. "It was hard out there and I was getting a little sloppy and loose at the end," said Allen, age nine. "I want to thank my mom and my sponsors and that is pretty much it." Madera Speedway will be back in action next Saturday, July 4th with the "Firecracker 110" for the SRL SouthWest Tour in round #2 of the Holiday Classic, presented by Performance Electrical. Also helping to celebrate our nation's birthday that night will be the NASCAR Whelen All-American Racing Series Western Late Models, American Limited Stock Cars, Modified Super Toyotas, Toyota Sedans and Hornets. This special 4th of July show will be capped off by spectacular FIREWORKS extravaganza sponsored by Pacific Mobile Structures Inc. The Madera Speedway is conveniently located at the Madera County Fairgrounds just off to the west side of Highway 99 at the Cleveland Avenue exit. For more Madera Speedway information visit the track's website at www.racemadera.com or call the Info/Race Line phone number at (559) 673-RACE and for information on the Madera Speedway Spectator Racing Series program go to www.spectatorracing.com on the web or call (209) 476-8123. Madera Speedway Media Release - June 13, 2009 Media Relations - Dale Bosowski (209) 818-1731 Birges, Tuey and Swanson Post Victories at Super Saturday Event at Madera Speedway The ground pounding SMRA Supermodifieds returned to the "Fastest 1/3 Mile in the West" on Saturday, June 13th for Super Saturday #3, Presented By Inside Lines Apparel & Graphics. Once again the popular open-wheeled series featured the SMRA 410 Supermodifieds in combination with Madera's 360 Modifieds in a 50-lap main. Also racing on the program were the USAC/BCRA Midgets, USAC Focus Midgets, NCMA Sprint Cars and the WRA Vintage Sprints & Midgets. After setting fast time in qualifying and winning the 410 trophy dash, AJ Russell of Clovis, was clearly one of the favorites to win the 50-lap combined feature for the SMRA 410 Supermodifieds and 360 Modifieds. Starting from the eighth position in the 14-car field, Russell steadily powered his way up to the third spot on lap 12 before setting his sights on defending SMRA champion Troy Regier of Dinuba and race leader Jim Birges of Fresno. Russell slid underneath of Regier on lap 20 using a back marker as a pick to take over second place and then employed an almost identical move six laps later to wrestle the top spot away from Birges. Unfortunately, his dominating run would come to an unexpected and premature end just 10 laps later when he began to spew oil and blew his engine, causing him to smack the turn #1 wall which brought out red flag. When the race resumed, Birges found himself back in the lead with Dinuba's Troy Regier in hot pursuit. Regier was able to stay close to Birges through the closing laps, but he was never able to mount a serious challenge for the lead as Birges held on for his second win of the season. "We have been having a problem on this car burning plug wires and we did it again tonight because we lost two cylinders early in the race," explained Birges in victory lane. "Ironically, the car handled like a dream with the loss of power because the track was a little slick. It was almost like traction control because even though we lost a little speed in the straightaway, we were great in the corners." Regier was satisfied with his runner up status after fighting a loose car all evening. "We were just a little off in our setup," confided Regier. "We fought and hung in there and I thought we might be able to catch him in traffic, but he picked the right lines every time." Defending track champion David Tuey, of Bakersfield, easily outdistanced the rest of the 360 Modifieds to capture his fourth straight win of the season. He finished sixth overall and was credited with 49 laps completed, one more than his closest pursuers Lance Tatro and Kenny Kinchen, both of Madera. "We were fighting things early on. We were only fourth in qualifying but it got a little better in the dash and then the heat," said Tuey. "The feature was good. There was a lot of traffic, which makes it fun and takes the boredom out of it. It forces you to concentrate more. We made it four in a row tonight so I guess we are cooking right along." Kingsburg's Tanner Swanson, the 18-year-old son of nine-time Madera track champion Mike Swanson, turned in a dominating performance to earn the victory in the 30-lap USAC/BCRA Midget race. Starting from the tenth position in the 12-car field, Swanson darted in and out of traffic and quickly moved up to third by lap seven in the feature. Over the next 12 laps Swanson calmly stalked Jerome Rodela, of El Monte and Alex Bowman, Tucson, AZ, the night's two heat race victors. Swanson disposed of Bowman on lap 17 and then Rodela just two laps later to take over the lead. Once out in front, Swanson never looked back as he cruised to his second win at Madera this season, taking the checkers by a full straight away over Rodela. It was the second win at Madera this season for Tanner, who once again was driving the #88 car owned by Dallen McKenney, of Clovis. Tanner's older brother Kody, who has both wins in the two other Midget races held at Madera this season, did not participate in Saturday's race due to other commitments. "So far my brother and I have been perfect here so it has been pretty special. It is awesome to come to a track and unload with a great car like my crew has given me each time this year," said Tanner. Madera's won Cody Gerhardt grabbed the early lead in the 25-lap USAC Ford Focus feature and stayed put there until a yellow caution came out on lap 15 when several cars in the pack spun while fighting for position. Trying to maintain his advantage on the restart, Gerhardt spun on his own coming out of turn #1, causing another caution and handing the lead over to Nic Romano of Atherton. Romano came under immediate pressure from his teammate Jeff Oleen, of Bethesda, MD, who had posted a win at Madera earlier this season. After several unsuccessful attempts at a pass, Oleen was finally able to get under Romano and make it stick coming out of turn #4 on lap 23. Finishing behind Romano in third was Sacramento's Garrett Peterson, who along with Gerhardt, captured a win in one of the two Focus heat races. "My teammate (Romano) is about the toughest competition I have. I saw him go a little wide in the turn and I knew I was running out of laps so I dove in there and hoped for the best. It turned out to be perfect," said Oleen, before adding with a laugh. "I really wanted to get by him, but his crew chief is pretty big so I didn't want to mess with him." Tracy's David Burchett quickly grabbed the lead in the NCMA Sprint Car main from polesitter Ed Amador, of Patterson, on the second lap of the 30-lap feature and he would hold the top spot until Rob Hammond, of Morgan Hill, swept under him on lap 12. Hammond was able to maintain his advantage for the rest of the contest to earn the checkers although Napa's David Goodwill and Modesto's Jimmy Ruddell were able to close in on him during the closing laps. "I tried to get around the outside, but it was a little slick so I had to wait until I could go inside and when he (Burchett) left me a little room I took it," explained Hammond. "After that I just tried to be cool and at the end if they came to me I just wanted to be sure not to make any mistakes." The top three NCMA main event finishers also split up the honors in the preliminaries as Goodwill set fast time in qualifying, Ruddell captured the dash and Burchett and Hammond captured heat wins. After going dark next weekend for the NASCAR Toyota/Save Mart 350 event at Infineon Raceway, Madera Speedway will roar back to life on Saturday evening, June 27th with the annual SUMMER KICK OFF PARTY/HAWAIIAN SHIRT NIGHT, presented By Midland Tractor. The NASCAR Whelen All American Racing Series program will include the Western Late Models, American Limited Stocks, Modified Super Toyotas, Toyota Sedans and Hornets plus the Legends of the Pacific and the WSRA Mini-Cup & Baby Grands. The following Saturday, July 4th, the SRL SouthWest Tour returns for the Firecracker 110 in Round #2 of the Holiday Classic, presented by Performance Electrical. Also racing that night will be the Western Late Models, American Limited Stock Cars, Modified Super Toyotas, Toyota Sedans and Hornets. In addition there will be a spectacular fireworks show Presented by Pacific Mobile Structures Inc. The Madera Speedway is conveniently located at the Madera County Fairgrounds just off to the west side of Highway 99 at the Cleveland Avenue exit. For more Madera Speedway information visit the track's website at www.racemadera.com or call the Info/Race Line phone number at (559) 673-RACE. Madera Speedway Media Release - June 6, 2009 Dale Bosowski - Media Relations (209) 818-1731 Strmiska Notches Third Straight Win at Madera Speedway The action was hot and heavy as Madera Speedway hosted another fantastic NASCAR Whelen All American Racing Series program on Saturday, June 6th that included the Western Late Models, American Limited Stock Cars, Modified Super Toyotas, Toyota Sedans and Hornets. Topping the evening's entertainment off was a 100-lap Enduro. It was perhaps the most entertaining night of racing this season at the "Fastest 1/3 Mile in the West" as every division provided wheel to wheel action and down to the wire finishes. Trevor Schlundt, age 19 of Clovis, used his front row starting spot in the 50-lap Western Late Model main to maximum advantage by quickly disposing of pole sitter Matt Erickson, of Coulterville, and jumping out to a commanding lead over the rest of the 13-car field. He was able to hold down the top spot with relative ease until the first yellow caution flag of the race popped out on lap 19. Starting next to Schlundt when the race resumed was Stockton's Ross Strmiska. The two third generation drivers slugged it out side by side for the next 13 laps before Strmiska was finally able to pull ahead of the determined Schlundt. As Strmiska continued out in front Schlundt, Erickson, Merced's Carlos Vieira and Rick Thompson the evening's trophy dash winner out of Clovis, all fought for position behind him until Thompson and Vieira became tangled up in turn #1 of lap 40. Although they were not directly involved Schlundt and Erickson were trapped behind the accident with no where to go and as a result when the race resumed Kyle Gottula, the season points leader out of Modesto, suddenly found himself elevated to second. Choosing to start on the outside, where he was effective all night, Strmiska was able to pounce back into the lead and keep Gottula at bey for the final 10 laps to chalk up his third consecutive victory. Following him to the finish were Gottula, Erickson, Vieira and Bakersfield's Brennan Newberry. "I had a good race with Trevor. I couldn't get by him until I used him up a little bit, but I was a lot faster than him once I did get by," said Strmiska who now four wins overall at Madera this season. "It has really turned around and been a smooth ride of late." Although he now trails Gottula by a mere 205 to 192 margin in the points Strmiska professes that he is not really concerned about the standings. "We aren't really racing for points, we are racing for wins. That gives us five on the year (including one win in Stockton) so we need about five more and we are good to go." Fresno's Larry Pasquale held the early lead in the 30-lap American Limited Stock Car feature until defending division champion Harold Holden, of Clovis, overtook him on lap 13. Just behind him, in a tightly packed group, Pasquale, Modesto's Dennis Saunders, Matt Erickson, Atwater's Jason Aguirre, Madera's CJ Dizney and trophy dash winner Garland Tyler of Modesto, all churned for position throughout the remainder of the race. Holden was able to stay out of the fray going on in his mirrors as he successfully fought off all challengers for the rest of the way to earn his first victory of the season. Following closely behind him in second through fifth were Saunders, Aguirre, Erickson and Tyler. "This was too long coming. We had some bad luck last week, but this week we finally got one," said Holden. "I also have to thank Dennis (Saunders) he could have gotten a little closer and made me choke up, but he kept it clean." Although he finished just behind him in the main, Aguirre was able to extend his advantage in the season standings over Saunders to 161-141 thanks to the points he earned as the night's fast qualifier. Stockton's John McCollum Sr. started on the pole and held the lead over his son John McCollum Jr. for the opening laps of the Toyota Sedan 20-lap feature before two-time defending division champion Stan Hankins, of Fresno, shot by both of them in one quick swoop on lap 11. Trophy dash winner Chris Lewis of Sanger, Fresno's Jason Kerns and Madera's Del McIntosh soon moved up in some exciting wheel-to-wheel action to challenge for the lead, but Hankins would not be denied as he held off all comers to earn his first win of the 2009 season. "Finally! We were ready to win tonight," he exclaimed in victory lane. "Most of our bad luck this year has been self inflicted. It has been driver error and I have nobody to blame but myself." Those words would come back to haunt Hankins when track officials later announced that he had been disqualified for an illegal transmission. The decision gave Lewis his third win of the year and extended his points lead to a comfortable 174 to 140 margin over Kerns. The Modified Super Toyota (MST) 20-lap main got off to an auspicious start when John McCollum Jr., Chowchilla's John Bowersox and Dennis Schlundt, of Clovis, became entwined with each other and skidded up into the wall in turn #3 of the opening lap. McCollum and Bowersox, who entered the night holding down the top two spots in the season points, where able to continue, but Schlundt was not so fortunate as he was taken away on the hook without completing a lap. When the race resumed, an anxious Bowersox turned Fresno's Donnie Large on lap two as he attempted to work his way up through the field, earning another trip to the back of the pack. When the race again restarted Large, showing how he acquired the nickname of 'Mr. Excitement' charged through the field, passing Jason Bowersox, the son of John Bowersox, on lap eight to take over the lead. As Large and Jason Bowersox continued to hold down the top two spots in the closing laps of the race, McCollum and John Bowersox began to slug it out for third. Although Bowersox seemed to have the faster car, McCollum had position and when Bowersox tried to go underneath of McCollum on the final lap the two touched sending McCollum into a spin. When the dust settled McCollum was credited with sixth place and Bowersox, who was penalized a lap for causing the spin, ended up in seventh. "This car hasn't run for a while and Chris Lewis helped tune it up. It was on a string tonight," explained Large of his first win of the season. "I am really glad to be back in the winner's circle." Despite all of the on track fireworks, the points battle for the MST championship remained virtually unchanged. McCollum entered the night with a one-point lead over John Bowersox and left it with a two point (136-134) advantage. Once again 67-year-old racing rookie, Dean Davison of Kingsburg, proved he is a quick learner as he notched his second consecutive victory in a Hornet division feature that was even the wilder and wackier than usual. For the majority of the 20-lap main Modesto's Richard Hull and Pleasanton's Rodney Lopez traded the lead while Davison and JD Silva lurked behind them. On the final two laps the leaders encountered heavy traffic and Davison was able to split Hull and Lopez to take the checkered flag by less than half a car length as the drivers crossed the finish line three abreast. "That was one of the most exciting races I have been in so far. I am enjoying every minute of this," said Davison. "I really didn't figure I had a chance. I was hoping for a strong third and all of a sudden I was past Richard and Rodney." The "Fastest 1/3 Mile in the West" was then made slick as ice with soap and water for the first Enduro of the 2009 season. Stockton's Ryan Strmiska and Linden's David Pabst ran away from the rest of the field as they battled it out throughout the 100-lap contest. The two traded the lead on several occasions before Pabst was finally able to retake it for good on lap 81. Strmiska trailed him to the finish by about 10 car lengths for a disappointing second while Loren Chitwood took third, a distant seven laps behind the leaders. "Usually it takes a couple months for us to prepare our car, but we worked on this one over a year to get it ready to raced," said Pabst, who has posted six straight Enduro wins at Madera dating back to 2007. "Winning never gets old. I really wanted to keep our undefeated streak here alive tonight." On tap next Saturday, June 13th at Madera will be Super Saturday #3, Presented By Inside Lines Apparel & Graphics. This fantastic open-wheel program will include the fire breathing SMRA 410 Supermodifieds and 360 Modifieds in a combined feature race, the USAC and BCRA Midgets also in a combined feature, plus USAC Focus Midgets, NCMA Sprint Cars, WRA Vintage Sprints and Midgets. The Madera Speedway is conveniently located at the Madera County Fairgrounds just off to the west side of Highway 99 at the Cleveland Avenue exit. For more Madera Speedway information visit the track's website at www.racemadera.com or call the Info/Race Line phone number at (559) 673-RACE. ld from his third row starting position. On lap nine, Bowersox finally cleared Large for second and tried to close the 10-car length gap on the leader when a yellow flag gave him his opportunity on lap 16. When the race resumed a determined McCollum would not budge as he continued to hold the inside line and as Bowersox continued to try the outside Sanger's Chris Lewis was able to slip under him for second. The three drivers remained bumper to bumper to bumper over the closing laps as McCollum held them off his determined challengers for his third consecutive win of the season. "Both of those guys are really tough and I knew I had to hit all my marks to hold them off," said a smiling McCollum. "I am really loving being in this winner's circle and I hope I can continue to be here all season." Patrick Hill, age 12 of Brentwood, continued his season long domination of the WSRA Mini Cup division by posting his third straight victory at Madera. Hill started the 25-lap main from the pole and was never seriously challenged in the race. Following Hill across the finish line were brothers Cameron and Kyle Wininger of Fremont. "It was a tough race early on. I would like to congratulate Kyle and Cameron for finishing in the top three in only their third race out here," said the gracious winner. Lincoln's Danny Allen was the Mini Cup fast qualifier and dash winner, but he was ordered to the infield for the night early in the race after he was deemed to be at fault in an incident that saw Eric Hamilton, of Hanford, spin into the wall on the back straight. Like Hill, Dillon Hutchison of Citrus Heights, was also gunning for his third straight win at Madera in the WSRA Baby Grands, but his task was much more difficult after he found himself ninth in the 13 car field at the start of the 30-lap race. Manteca's Michael Sandoval held the lead on the opening lap and that was the place to be as there were numerous incidents behind him which brought out several yellow cautions and one red flag in the first half of the race. The problems played right into Hutchison's hands as he avoided trouble and steadily moved through the field while other drivers spun and crashed their way to the back. Following another restart on lap 14, Hutchison dove under Sandoval for the lead, which he held over Sandoval for the remaining distance. Sacramento's Robbie Roy finished in third. "I was towards the back, but I stayed patient and I started to pick them off lap by lap and I got the lead and kept it," said Hutchison. Madera Speedway will be back in action next Saturday, May 30th with Hoosier Tire Night featuring the NASCAR Whelen All American Racing Series 360 Super Modifieds, Western Late Models, Grand American Modifieds, American Limited Stock Cars, Hornets and Toyota Sedans. The Madera Speedway is conveniently located at the Madera County Fairgrounds just off to the west side of Highway 99 at the Cleveland Avenue exit. For more Madera Speedway information visit the track's website at www.racemadera.com or call the Info/Race Line phone number at (559) 673-RACE. 3.2.09 Chowchilla 4-Bangers Verses Madera Hornets Two Track Challenge Series The 4-Bangers and the Hornets will face off in a two track challenge series to find out who is king of the class. The series will compete in a total of six races for the entire 2009 season, with three races on the Chowchilla dirt track, and three races on the Madera pavement track. "We feel this is one of the most important classes we have at the two race tracks because this is where the next great drivers will come from, now add the fact that this is the one class that can go back and forth between dirt and pavement without any changes, and it made perfect sense to create this driver challenge. We are very excited with the interest from the younger drivers and the fact that one only has to be fourteen years of age to race this class" adds Kenny Shepherd. The two track challenge kicks off at Chowchilla Speedway on April 18th as an under card class in the big Western All Stars event, then May 16th at Chowchilla for the Fair race, and then the final dirt race on June 20th at Chowchilla. Then the series moves to Madera for the pavement side of the challenge, the first pavement race is July 4th as an under card for the big SRL Southwest Tour race, the next race is September 5th as an under card to the final SRL Southwest Tour race, and then the championship will be decided on the last night for the two track series on Friday nights Harvest Classic kick off event on September 18th. |